AfDB says Lodged Complaint with Ethiopia Govt Over its Staffers’ Illegal Arrest

ADDIS ABABA – The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has filed a formal complaint to Ethiopian authorities after its staff members were arrested and assaulted by security forces.

The incident involving two Addis Ababa-based AfDB staff members happened on 31 October 2023.

The “two staff were unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for many hours by elements of the security forces without any official explanation,” the AfDB said in a statement today.

“We are pleased that the Prime Minister of Ethiopia immediately acted when he learnt of the incident,” the bank said, adding the PM ordered the immediate release of the affected staff and “promised to order an immediate investigation into the incident”.

The African Development Bank has since lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian authorities over what it called “a very serious diplomatic incident”.

“For their part, the government has formally acknowledged our complaint, and recognized the gravity of the incident,” the bank said.

Authorities told AfDB that “all those involved in breaking the law will be thoroughly” investigated and brought to justice.

They also reassured the Bank that its staff, including those coming to Ethiopia on a mission, “will continue to enjoy full respect of their rights, privileges and diplomatic immunities” under a Host Country Agreement with Ethiopia and the Vienna Convention.

“AfDB values its excellent relations with the government of Ethiopia and is currently engaged with the authorities, through diplomatic channels, concerning the incident,” AfDB said, and “assured all its partners that its operations in Ethiopia have not been affected by this incident.”